What are the industries or activities regulated under antidegradation rules?
Antidegradation applies to any entity that needs a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge pollutants to a surface water (river, stream or lake), if the permit would add new pollution either through a new source or expansion of an existing discharge. The regulated activities would include industries and cities that have wastewater treatment plants that discharge treated waste to surface water. Antidegradation rules also apply to storm water permits issued under the NPDES program and to state water quality certification for wetland dredge and fill permits administered by the Army Corp of Engineers.
